Question

The following statements call a function named show_data. Which of the statements passes arguments by position, and which passes keyword arguments? a. show_data(name='Kathryn', age=25) b. show_data('Kathryn', 25)

Short answer

Based on the provided information, determine which of the given statements call a function using arguments passed by position and which call a function using keyword arguments. a) show_data(name='Kathryn', age=25) b) show_data('Kathryn', 25) Answer: Statement (a) calls a function using keyword arguments, while statement (b) calls a function using arguments passed by position.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Passing arguments by position

When a function is called, the arguments are passed by position, which means that the values of the arguments are assigned according to their order in the function definition. The order in which the arguments are passed in the function call should match the order of the parameters in the function definition.

Understand Passing keyword arguments

Keyword arguments are another way to pass values to a function. In this method, each argument is assigned to a specific parameter using the parameter name followed by an equal sign (=) and the value to be assigned. This way, the order of the arguments does not matter, as long as the correct parameter names are used.

Analyze the given statements and determine the argument-passing method used

Now let's analyze each statement and determine which method is used for passing the arguments. a. show_data(name='Kathryn', age=25) In this statement, the arguments are assigned to the parameters using their names, i.e., name='Kathryn' and age=25. Therefore, this statement is an example of passing keyword arguments. b. show_data('Kathryn', 25) In this statement, the arguments are passed in order as ('Kathryn', 25). The order of these arguments should match the order of the parameters in the function definition. Therefore, this statement is an example of passing arguments by position.

Conclusion

In conclusion, statement (a) passes keyword arguments, and statement (b) passes arguments by position.

Key concepts

Passing Arguments

When working with functions in Python, understanding how arguments are passed is essential. Arguments are the inputs you provide to a function so that it can perform its operations. Every function call includes the arguments provided to it, and it's crucial to know how these arguments are interpreted and used by the function.

In Python, there are primarily two ways to pass arguments: by position and by keyword. These methods dictate how the function identifies which parameters to set to which values. Every mechanism serves a specific purpose and can affect the behavior of the program. Identifying the appropriate method is important for maintaining clarity and functionality in your code.

Positional Arguments

Positional arguments are straightforward and intuitive. When you call a function using positional arguments, the values you provide are assigned based on their position in the function call.

Here's an overview of positional arguments:

• Order is crucial: The first argument in the function call matches the first parameter in the function definition, the second matches the second, and so on.
• Simplicity: Positional arguments are the most basic form of passing data, often making the call simple and concise.
• Potential for errors: Mistakes can arise if arguments are provided in the wrong order, leading to unexpected results in the function's behavior.

For example, consider the function call `show_data('Kathryn', 25)`. Here, 'Kathryn' will be assigned to the first parameter (e.g., `name`), and `25` will be assigned to the second parameter (e.g., `age`), assuming the function `show_data` is defined accordingly. The proper functioning of the call depends entirely on the order of these arguments.

Keyword Arguments

Keyword arguments provide an alternative to positional arguments by specifying each argument's name within the function call. This means you can pass values without worrying about their order in the function definition. Instead, you associate each argument with a parameter explicitly using a key-value pair format.

Benefits of using keyword arguments include:

• Flexibility: Order does not matter, as long as the parameter names are correct, allowing more flexible and readable function calls.
• Clarity: By naming the parameters, you make the function call clearer and more self-explanatory.
• Default values: Easily combine with default parameter values, minimizing errors when skipping arguments.

Taking the statement `show_data(name='Kathryn', age=25)` as an example, the names of the parameters (`name` and `age`) are explicitly given in the function call, ensuring that each argument lands in the correct parameter regardless of their order. This clear designation helps avoid many common pitfalls related to argument misplacement. By using this method, the code remains robust and easier to maintain.